Gentleman outpoints Risk in Grade 3 chase

Perfect Gentleman completed a double on the afternoon at Cork for the powerful combination of Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh when taking an incident-packed Grade 3 EBF Novice Chase on this Paddy Power-sponsored card.

The 100/30 chance and 13/8 favourite Sadler’s Risk were in the air together at the last but Walsh’s mount (despite the rider losing his whip) proved the stronger close home to score by three lengths. Silver Tassie was a further 12 lengths adrift in third.

The incidents started as soon as the first obstacle where Sadler’s Risk was right down on his nose, and the favourite made another mistake when in front two out. Un Beau Matin (subsequently put down) was pulled up quickly in front after a bad blunder at the fifth last, and in the process badly hampered fellow Gigginstown contender Allied Victory

Mullins and Walsh were also on the mark in the opening maiden hurdle with hot favourite Nichols Canyon

Mullins said, "I own him myself and never got him sold and he's lightly raced as a result. He has a nice pedigree and has low mileage, and Ruby was very impressed with his jumping.

"He's still for sale and we'll keep upping him in grade."

On Walsh losing his whip, Mullins quipped, "He didn't need it! It's slippery old weather!"

(TW & AM)